Dark Septate Endophytic Fungi Research Articles

A bZIP transcription factor VabZIP12 from blueberry induced by dark septate endocyte improving the salt tolerance of transgenic Arabidopsis

Dark septate endophytes (DSEs) have attracted much attention due to their positive roles in plant growth as well as resistance to various abiotic stresses. However, there are no reports on the molecular mechanisms of DSE fungi to improve salt tolerance in plants. In this study, the blueberry seedlings inoculated with T010, a beneficial DSE fungus reported previously, grew more vigorously than the non-inoculated control under salt stress. Physiological indicators showed that T010 inoculation increased antioxidant activities of blueberry roots. To explore its molecular mechanism, we focused on the bZIP TFs VabZIP12, who was highly up-regulated with T010 inoculation under salt stress. Further studies showed that VabZIP12, as a transcription activator, could combine both G-Box 1 and G-Box 2 motifs. Moreover, overexpression of VabZIP12 enhanced salt stress tolerance through increasing the activities of the enzymatic antioxidants in the transgenic Arabidopsis with up-regulation the related genes. These results indicated that the induction of VabZIP12 contribute to improving the tolerance of blueberry to salt stress by T010 inoculation.

Long-Term Drought and Warming Alter Soil Bacterial and Fungal Communities in an Upland Heathland

The response of soil microbial communities to a changing climate will impact global biogeochemical cycles, potentially leading to positive and negative feedbacks. However, our understanding of how soil microbial communities respond to climate change and the implications of these changes for future soil function is limited. Here, we assess the response of soil bacterial and fungal communities to long-term experimental climate change in a heathland organo-mineral soil. We analysed microbial communities using Illumina sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and ITS2 region at two depths, from plots undergoing 4 and 18 years of in situ summer drought or warming. We also assessed the colonisation of Calluna vulgaris roots by ericoid and dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungi using microscopy after 16 years of climate treatment. We found significant changes in both the bacterial and fungal communities in response to drought and warming, likely mediated by changes in soil pH and electrical conductivity. Changes in the microbial communities were more pronounced after a longer period of climate manipulation. Additionally, the subsoil communities of the long-term warmed plots became similar to the topsoil. Ericoid mycorrhizal colonisation decreased with depth while DSEs increased; however, these trends with depth were removed by warming. We largely ascribe the observed changes in microbial communities to shifts in plant cover and subsequent feedback on soil physicochemical properties, especially pH. Our results demonstrate the importance of considering changes in soil microbial responses to climate change across different soil depths and after extended periods of time.

Epipremnum aureum (Araceae) roots associated simultaneously with Glomeromycotina, Mucoromycotina and Ascomycota fungi

Only a small number of aroids are examined for their symbiosis with glomeromycotean arbuscular mycorrhizal (GAM) fungi and the ascomycetous dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungi. Therefore we examined the aerial and terrestrial adventitious roots of Epipremnum aureum for the endophytic association and the soils for GAM spores. The aerial roots of E. aureum were free from fungal structures, whereas the terrestrial roots were colonized by GAM, fine root endophyte (FRE), and DSE fungi. The major portion of the terrestrial roots was colonized by FRE fungi followed by GAM and DSE fungi. The colonization pattern was a complex of Arum-Paris and intermediate types. Spores of Acaulospora, Funneliformis, Rhizophagus, Rhizophagus and Sclerocystis were isolated from the root zone soils. The results show that E. aureum can establish symbiosis with a wide range of endophytic fungi and FRE symbiosis is reported for the first time in aroids.

A Review on Mycorrhizae and Related Endophytic Fungi as Potential Sources of Enzymes for the Bio-Economy

Ericoid mycorrhizal (ERM) fungi and related fungal root endophytes do form symbiotic associations with roots of ericaceous plants. These groups of fungi can have profound impact on community of plants in soil environment. Studies conducted on Hymenoscyphus ericae revealed that H. ericae can produce extracellular enzymes such as phosphatases, proteases, cellulases and pectinases, which support the utilization of nitrogen, phosphorus and permitting access to other valuable nutrient embedded within the soil and decaying plant tissues. Most studies conducted on extracellular enzymes from these fungi majorly focused on the use of plating method to determine activity. Currently, there is little information on extracellular enzymes from ERM for the bio-economy, but there are proofs that some ericoid, ectomycorrhizal and dark septate endophytic fungi have the potential to produce a good number of hydrolytic enzymes in vitro. Therefore, this review seeks to employ available information on these fungi and their ability to produce enzymes when growing in liquid medium where their production can be optimized for commercial purposes.

1,8-dihydroxy naphthalene (DHN) - melanin confers tolerance to cadmium in isolates of melanised dark septate endophytes

The contribution of 1,8-dihydroxy naphthalene (DHN) melanin to cadmium (Cd) tolerance in two dark septate endophytes (DSE) of the genus Cadophora with different melanin content was investigated in vitro. The DSE isolate Cad#148 with higher melanin content showed higher tolerance to Cd than the less melanised Cad#149. Melanin synthesis was significantly reduced by Cd in both isolates with uninhibited melanin synthesis, in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of melanin synthesis by tricyclazole reduced the relative growth of Cad#148 exposed to Cd and did not affect Cad#149. Cd accumulation was not altered by tricyclazole in the two isolates, but it increased catalase and reduced glutathione reductase activity in more melanised Cad#148, indicating higher stress levels. In contrast, in Cad#149 the enzyme activity was less affected by tricyclazole, indicating a more pronounced role of melanin-independent Cd tolerance mechanisms. Cd ligand environment in fungal mycelia was analysed by extended EXAFS (X-ray absorption fine structure). It revealed that Cd was mainly bound to O- and S-ligands, including hydroxyl, carboxyl, phosphate and thiol groups. A similar proportion of S- and O- ligands (~35% and ~65%) were found in both isolates with uninhibited melanin synthesis. Among O-ligands two types with Cd-O-C- and Cd-O-P- coordination were identified. Tricyclazole altered Cd-O- ligand environment in both fungal isolates by reducing the proportion of Cd-O-C- and increasing the proportion of Cd-O-P coordination. DHN-melanin, among other tolerance mechanisms, significantly contributes to Cd tolerance in more melanised DSE fungi by immobilising Cd to hydroxyl groups and maintaining the integrity of the fungal cell wall.

The Effect of Mycorrhizal Inoculum and Phosphorus Treatment on Growth and Flowering of Ajania (Ajania pacifica (Nakai) Bremer et Humphries) Plant

The influence of mycorrhizal inoculum in combination with different phosphorus treatments on growth and flowering parameters of Ajania (Ajania pacifica (Nakai) Bremer et Humphries) plants was investigated in two growing seasons (2015 and 2016). Plants of the cultivar ‘Silver and Gold’ were transplanted into pots either with added mycorrhizal inoculum or without inoculum and assigned to four phosphorus treatments. Mycorrhizal colonization was assessed by evaluating the frequency of colonization, intensity of colonization and density of fungal structures (arbuscules, vesicles, coils and microsclerotia) in the roots. During the growing season, the content of plant available phosphorus in the soil was analyzed, and shoot length, number of shoots, number of inflorescences, number of flowers and flowering time were evaluated. Inoculated Ajania plants were successfully colonized with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and dark septate endophytic fungi. In the root segments, hyphae were mainly observed, as well as vesicles, coils, arbuscules and microsclerotia, but in lower density. The density of fungal structures did not differ among phosphorus treatments, but did differ between years, with a higher density of fungal structures in 2016. Mycorrhizal plants developed higher number of shoots in 2016, higher number of inflorescences, higher number of flowers, and they flowered longer compared to uninoculated plants.

Pioneer plant species and fungal root endophytes in metal-polluted tailings deposited near human populations and agricultural areas in Northern Mexico

As a consequence of industrial mining activity, high volumes of tailings are scattered around Mexico. Frequently, tailings contain heavy metals (HM) which entail threats against all organisms. The aim of this research was to identify plants and root fungal endophytes in polymetallic polluted tailings with the potential to be used in strategies of bioremediation. Four deposits of mine wastes, situated in a semi-arid region near urban and semi-urban populations, and agricultural areas, were studied. The physical and chemical characteristics of substrates, accumulation of HM in plant tissues, root colonization between arbuscular mycorrizal (AMF) and dark septate endophyte (DSE) fungi, and the identification of DSE fungi isolated from the roots of two plant species were studied. Substrates from all four sites exhibited extreme conditions: high levels in sand; low water retention; poor levels in available phosphorus and nitrogen content; and potentially toxic levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn). The native plants Lupinus campestris, Tagetes lunulata, and Cerdia congestiflora, as well as the exotic Cortaderia selloana and Asphodelus fistulosus, demonstrated a relevant potential role in the phytostabilization and/or phytoextraction of Pb, Cd, and Zn, according to the accumulation of metal in roots and translocation to shoots. Roots of eleven analyzed plant species were differentially co-colonized between AMF and DSE fungi; the presence of arbuscules and microsclerotia suggested an active physiological interaction. Fourteen DSE fungi were isolated from the inner area of roots of T. lunulata and Pennisetum villosum; molecular identification revealed the predominance of Alternaria and other Pleosporales. The use of native DSE fungi could reinforce the establishment of plants for biological reclamation of mine waste in semi-arid climate. Efforts are needed in order to accelerate a vegetation practice of mine wastes under study, which can reduce, in turn, their potential ecotoxicological impact on organisms, human populations, and agricultural areas.

Isolation, identification, and characterization of cadmium-tolerant endophytic fungi isolated from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) roots and their role in enhancing phytoremediation.

Four hundred endophytic fungi isolates with different colony morphologies were isolated from roots of Hordeum vulgare L. collected from un-engineered landfills (the measured cadmium was 0.9 mg kg-1) of Kermanshah province in West Iran. Based on morphology and phylogeny of DNA sequence data for the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA and comparing the sequences with that available in NCBI database, 11 isolates are identified as dark septate endophytes (DSE) including Alternaria alternata, Microdochium bolleyi, Bipolaris zeicola, Alternaria sp., and Pleosporales sp., and the other nine are not dark septate endophytes (non-DSE) including Fusarium redolens, Fusarium tricinctum, Fusarium monliforme, Clonostachys rosea, and Epicoccum nigrum. Tolerance of DSE and non-DSE strains for Cd were investigated in potato dextrose agar medium. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of Cd from nitrate salt source (Cd (NO3)2) and EC50 were determined. The means of MIC and EC50 values for DSE fungi species were 1254.5 and 209.74 mg/kg, compared to 800 and 150.3 mg/kg for non-DSEs. Among the endophytic fungi isolated, Alternaria sp. (TBR5) and Bipolaris zeicola (Tw26) showed the highest tolerance to Cd with a MIC value of 2000 mg/L and 1800 mg/L, respectively. Barley plants were inoculated with TBR5 and Tw26 in Cd-added sands (0, 10, 30, 60 mg Cd/kg sand). In terms of Cd accumulation, our results showed that TBR5 and Tw26 inoculation increased the amount of Cd in the barley roots. TBR5 and Tw26 significantly improved (p < 0.05) plant growth in the presence of Cd by enhancing plant growth attributes such as chlorophyll content, root weight, plant length, fresh weight, and dry weight of plants. This is the first study on the abundance and identification of endophytic root fungi of barley in a cadmium-contaminated soil in Iran. The results of this study showed that DSE and non-DSE have the potential to improve the efficiency of phytoremediation.

Evidence for a fungal loop in shrublands

Abstract Dryland communities may mitigate the loss of limited resources by exchanging nutrients through subterranean fungal connections, termed fungal loops. In arid grasslands, fungal loops can influence community composition and primary productivity, yet their ecological significance across dryland systems remains unexplored. We investigated the functional role of fungal loops in nutrient translocation in a North American shrubland ecosystem. We traced the movement of 15N from moss‐dominated biocrusts to the dominant xeric shrub Larrea tridentata, and the movement of 13C from L. tridentata to biocrusts in plots established in situ in the Sonoran Desert. Measurements occurred at three time points spanning 1 week following a simulated 2.5 mm rainfall event, and at distances up to 1 m from tracer application. We also used ITS sequencing to investigate changes in fungal community composition in soils over the 1‐week period. We discovered movement of 15N from biocrusts into L. tridentata foliage as well as 15N movement to other spatially isolated moss‐dominated biocrust patches, yet this movement did not occur until 4–6 days post‐rainfall, when significantly higher δ15N was observed in L. tridentata and biocrusts compared to previous days. We did not observe consistent patterns of 13C movement from L. tridentata into neighbouring shrubs or biocrusts, suggesting differential environmental drivers for carbon movement in this system. Fungal communities exhibited a decrease in alpha diversity on the last day of the study, indicative of a delayed community response to rainfall concomitant with nutrient translocation. Fungal endophyte orders Pleosporales and Pezizales dominated all plot soils, and order Pleosporales was significantly more abundant in 15N enriched plots, suggesting that dark septate endophytic fungi were involved in nitrogen translocation. The delay in nutrient translocation may reflect a rainfall‐triggered rebuilding of mycelial networks between community members following drought. Synthesis. Our results point to fungal‐mediated nutrient exchange pathways in a previously uninvestigated vegetation type, shrublands, where nutrients are translocated between moss‐dominated biocrusts and nearby shrubs. We provide the first evidence that nutrient transfer may be delayed up to 6 days following rainfall, consistent with pulse‐dynamic responses in drylands, and that moss‐dominated biocrusts play a role in fungal loops.

The cellulolytic activity and symbiotic potential of dark septate endophytic fungus Phialocephala fortinii to promote non-mycorrhizal plants growth

The endophytic fungi have attracted much attention to investigating their ability to degrade cellulose and promote plant growth as double functional roles. The objective of this study was to investigate the cellulase activity and the ability of dark septate endophytic fungus (DSE) Phialocephala fortinii to promote non-mycorrhizal plants. This study consisted of carboxy-methylcellulose degradation activity of DSE isolates, cellulase activity, and the effect of cellulolytic DSE to promote non-mycorrhizal plants growth assays. The results showed P. fortinii III.Pi.I8 had the largest cellulolytic index than P. fortinii CKG.II.10.1 and P. eryngii for 7 days of incubation time. The cellulase activity pattern of all P. fortinii isolates was rather similar to P. eryngii for the incubation time of 7 to 35 days. Phialocephala fortinii III.Pi.I8, CKG.II.10.1, and CKG.I.11 increased the growth of Brassica oleracea var. capitata by 7.63, 92.5, and 47.7%, and Spinacia oleracea by 58.5, 283, and 303%, respectively, over to the control plant. Heavy colonization of P. fortinii occurred both in B. oleracea var. capitata and S. oleracea roots. This study proved that although P. fortinii has cellulase activity but did not cause disease symptoms in non-mycorrhizal plants so that it can potentially be multifunctional as cellulose decomposer and plant growth promoter.

Idiosyncratic responses to simulated herbivory by root fungal symbionts in a subarctic meadow

ABSTRACT Plant-associated fungi have elementary roles in ecosystem productivity. There is little information on the interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal symbiosis, fine endophytic (FE) and dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungi, and their host plants in cold climate systems. In particular, the environmental filters potentially driving the relative abundance of these root symbionts remain unknown. We investigated the interlinkage of plant and belowground fungal responses to simulated herbivory (clipping, fertilization, and trampling) in a subarctic meadow system. AM and FE frequency in the two target plant roots, Potentilla crantzii and Saussurea alpina, was unaffected by simulated herbivory, highlighting the importance and resilience of arbuscule forming mycorrhizas in a range of environmental conditions. Fertilization and trampling increased DSE colonization in P. crantzii roots although generally P. crantzii performance was reduced in these plots. The idiosyncratic responses by DSE fungal frequency in the two host plants in our experiment indicate that the host plant identity has a pivotal role in the DSE fungus–plant outcome. DSE fungal frequency did not respond to environmental manipulations in a manner similar to arbuscular mycorrhizas, suggesting that they have a different role in plant ecology.

The Impact of Climate Change on the Symbiosis between the Dark Septate Endophytic Fungi and Koshihikari Rice Plant

The Impact of Climate Change on the Symbiosis between the Dark Septate Endophytic Fungi and Koshihikari Rice Plant

Role of CFEM Domain-Containing Protein in Systemic Resistance Induced by &lt;i&gt;Falciphora oryzae&lt;/i&gt; to Rice Blast

Falciphora oryzae is a newly discovered member of dark septate endophytic fungi, first isolated from wild rice roots. Through symbiosis, it leads to the development of induced systemic resistance of rice against foliar infection caused by Magnaporthe oryzae. However, the mechanism underlying the development of this systemic resistance remains to be elucidated. Here, FoCcw14, a protein containing the CFEM domain, was identified in F. oryzae. By homologous recombination, we obtained the deletion mutant, ΔFoCcw14, which was sensitive to oxidative stresses. Moreover, we showed that FoCcw14 was required for fungal colonization and the generation of immunity when symbiotic with rice. Additionally, FoCcw14 interacted with a germin-like protein, OsGLP2, which is present in the rice apoplast. FoCcw14 promoted the accumulation of OsGLP2 in the host, and then OsGLP2 activated the downstream JA pathway, thereby co-regulating the development of induced systemic resistance.

Plant-fungal symbiosis responds to experimental addition of resources and physical stressor in a salt marsh

Plant-fungal symbioses can have strong consequences for ecological communities and are sensitive to variation in abiotic factors. While the functions of mycorrhizal fungi are well established, the role of other root-colonizing fungi such as dark septate endophytes (DSE), which lack specialized structures for nutrient transfer, are less clear. DSE are ubiquitous in extreme and stressful ecosystems, including marine environments, and some studies suggest a potential role in plant nutrition. However, the response of DSE to nutrient availability and physical stress has rarely been tested in the field. We conducted a 10 mo field experiment to investigate how a symbiosis between the salt marsh plant Spartina alterniflora and DSE fungi responded to increased resources (nutrient addition) and physical stress (salt addition). Plant stem density and height increased in response to nutrient enrichment, consistent with past experiments in nutrient-limited marsh systems. Nutrient additions also increased S. alterniflora percent cover, but this effect was negated with elevated salinity. Nutrient addition decreased colonization by DSE hyphae by nearly half (8.8%, vs. 15.7% at ambient levels). Nutrients did not decrease DSE microsclerotia, which were marginally increased with the combination of added nutrients and salinity. These results are consistent with the view that plant-DSE interactions are based in part on enhanced nutritional condition of plants by fungi. In addition, there was a positive relationship between plant shoot growth and root colonization by DSE, suggesting a benefit of the association for the plants. Our results suggest that the poorly understood plant-DSE symbioses may be important in intertidal environments.

Microbial Inoculants: Silver Bullet or Microbial Jurassic Park?

The appeal of using microbial inoculants to mediate plant traits and productivity in managed ecosystems has increased over the past decade, because microbes represent an alternative to fertilizers, pesticides, and direct genetic modification of plants. Using microbes bypasses many societal and environmental concerns because microbial products are considered a more sustainable and benign technology. In our desire to harness the power of plant-microbial symbioses, are we ignoring the possibility of precipitating microbial invasions, potentially setting ourselves up for a microbial Jurassic Park? Here, we outline potential negative consequences of microbial invasions and describe a set of practices (Testing, Regulation, Engineering, and Eradication, TREE) based on the four stages of invasion to prevent microbial inoculants from becoming invasive. We aim to stimulate discussion about best practices to proactively prevent microbial invasions.

Ectomycorrhizal and Dark Septate Fungal Associations of Pinyon Pine Are Differentially Affected by Experimental Drought and Warming.

Changing climates can cause shifts in temperature and precipitation, resulting in warming and drought in some regions. Although each of these factors has been shown to detrimentally affect forest ecosystems worldwide, information on the impacts of the combined effects of warming and drought is lacking. Forest trees rely on mutualistic root-associated fungi that contribute significantly to plant health and protection against climate stresses. We used a six-year, ecosystem-scale temperature and precipitation manipulation experiment targeted to simulate the climate in 2100 in the Southwestern United States to quantify the effects of drought, warming and combined drought and warming on the root colonization (abundance), species composition and diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF), and dark septate fungal endophytes in a widespread woodland tree, pinyon pine (Pinus edulis E.). Our results show that pinyon shoot growth after 6 years of these treatments was reduced more by drought than warming. The combined drought and warming treatment reduced the abundance and diversity of EMF more than either treatment alone. Individual ectomycorrhizal fungal taxa, including the drought tolerant Cenococcum geophilum, were present in all treatments but the combined drought and warming treatment. The combined drought and warming treatment also reduced the abundance of dark septate endophytes (DSE), but did not affect their diversity or species composition. The current year shoot growth of the trees correlated positively with ectomycorrhizal fungal diversity, highlighting the importance of diversity in mutualistic relationships to plant growth. Our results suggest that EMF may be more important than DSE to aboveground growth in P. edulis, but also more susceptible to the negative effects of combined climate stressors.

Dark Septate Endophytic Fungi Associated with Sugarcane Plants Cultivated in São Paulo, Brazil

Dark septate endophytes (DSEs) constitute a polyphyletic group within the Ascomycota, with global distribution and a wide range of host plant species. The present study evaluated the diversity of DSE in sugarcane roots of the varieties RB867515, RB966928, and RB92579, and four varieties of not commercialized energy cane. A total of 16 DSE strains were isolated, mostly from the varieties RB966928 and RB867515, with six and five isolates, respectively. Just one of the four energy cane varieties had fungi with DSE appearance. The analyses of the DNA sequences from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the large subunit (LSU), in association with the micromorphology of the isolates, allowed the differentiation of the 16 isolates in at least five species, within the families Periconiaceae, Pleosporaceae, Lentitheciaceae, Vibrisseaceae, and Apiosporaceae and the orders Pleosporales, Helotiales, and Xylariales. The order Pleosporales represented 80% of the isolates, and the species Periconia macrospinosa, with six isolates, accounted for the highest isolation frequency. The results confirm the natural occurrence of the DSE symbiosis in sugarcane varieties and the generalist character of these fungi as some of the detected species have already been reported associated with other host plants, ecosystems, and regions of the world.

Effects of enhancement of liquorice plants with dark septate endophytes on the root growth, glycyrrhizic acid and glycyrrhizin accumulation amended with organic residues

Dark septate endophytes (DSE) is a diverse group of Ascomycetes fungi involved in a mutualistic symbiosis with plant roots, however, their ecological roles need further clarification. This study aimed to investigate how DSE (Acrocalymma vagum and Paraboeremia putaminum) affect liquorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) growth under additional sterilized fermented and unfermented organic residues. Two DSE strains could establish a positive symbiosis with the host plants depending on DSE species and residue availability. Specifically, A. vagum inoculation mainly promoted the development of lateral roots, whereas P. putaminum inoculation mainly improved the taproot development. Mantel test and structural equation model (SEM) analysis demonstrated that DSE associated with residues significantly positively influenced the plant biomass, taproot length, total root length, root diameter, glycyrrhizic acid and glycyrrhizin content. The greatest benefits of DSE inoculation occurred in fermented residue treatment. Variation in root growth can be attributed to the effects of DSE inoculation. As A. vagum exhibited positive effects on the plant biomass, root growth, and active ingredient content in liquorice plants under organic residues treatment, it was considered to be the best combination of A. vagum and fermented residues for the liquorice cultivation. These results contribute to the understanding of the ecological function of DSE fungi in nutrient deficiency lands.

A novel dark septate fungal endophyte positively affected blueberry growth and changed the expression of plant genes involved in phytohormone and flavonoid biosynthesis.

Dark septate endophytes (DSEs) are one of the most studied groups of root fungal endophytes in recent years. However, the effects of DSE on host plant are still under debate, and the molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study, we identified a DSE fungus of the genus Anteaglonium, named T010, from the wild blueberry. When inoculated into Vaccinium corymbosum L. plants, T010 could enhance root growth and promote shoot branching, leading to increased plant growth. By comparative transcriptome analysis, we obtained 1948 regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from the V. corymbosum plants treated by T010. Further functional enrichment analysis identified a series of DEGs enriched in transcriptional regulation, material transport, phytohormone biosynthesis and flavonoid biosynthesis. Moreover, the comparative analysis of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry verified that T010 treatment induced the changes in the contents of various phytohormones and flavonoids. This is the first report on the isolation of DSE fungi of the genus Anteaglonium from blueberry roots. Moreover, our results suggested that T010 colonization could result in a series of changes in cell metabolism, biosynthesis and signal pathways, thereby promoting plant growth. Particularly, the changes of phytohormone and flavonoid metabolism induced by T010 colonization might contribute to the promotion of blueberry growth. Our results will provide new insights into understanding of the interaction of DSE fungi and host plants, as well as the development and utilization of DSE preparations.

Isolation and Capability of Dark Septate Endophyte Against Mancozeb Fungicide

Mancozeb is a group member of dithiocarbamat fungicides that most widely applied in the field. The use of mancozeb causes residues that have negative effects on agricultural production system and on agricultural environment. This research aimed to obtain dark septate endophyte (DSE) fungal isolates that are tolerant to mancozeb fungicide. The study was consisted of three steps, i.e., the isolation of DSE fungi from chili roots, the effect of DSE fungal isolates on chili seeds, and the growth ability of DSE isolates on medium supplemented with mancozeb. Thirteen DSE fungal isolates were isolated from chilli pepper roots and grown in the field assumed to be contaminated by pesticides. The isolates of DSE fungi caused the growth of chili seeds were normal and abnormal. Seven DSE isolates were able to grow well at PDA medium suplemented with mancozeb at concentrations of 100, 200, 400, and 800 ppm with different levels of relative growth inhibition. Mancozeb on PDA medium influenced the mycelial growth and colony color of DSE fungal isolates. The biomass of DSE fungal isolates were reduced when they were grown at malt extract broth (MEB) medium suplemented various levels of mancozeb. Keywords: dithiocarbamat, relative growth inhibition, tolerant